Explore the Ruins!

Explore the Ruins!

After returning from Gao Yanan's place, Chen Wang stayed in his quarters with peace of mind, familiarizing himself with the changes brought by the Third Order Genetic Potion, Hell Commando, within his body. His physical abilities had been enhanced across the board, and his short-range explosive power had reached a terrifying level.

With a light kick or punch from Chen Wang, sonic booms cracked through the air. His muscles were like steel as well. "Gao Yanan was right. There's no use practicing ordinary combat arts. A man still needs a tough body."

After briefly familiarizing himself with it, he sat cross-legged again and cultivated the Red Cloud Qi Refining Art.

Other than cultivating his technique and practicing spells, Chen Wang remained in his room and rarely went out. This world did not only have Gene Warriors; it also had terrifying zombies.

It could be said that most large activity zones had been occupied by zombies. Otherwise, the place where he lived would not be called a Shelter.

Some zombies were exceptionally powerful—even Gene Warriors could not deal with them.

Ever since learning that this world also had a genetic development path like Ghost, Chen Wang had focused on practicing the Evil Breaking Spell and Heavenly Eye. Last time, that Tier 2 Gene Soldier, Ghost, had been injured in a single exchange by Chen Wang's cultivation spell, the Evil Breaking Spell. It had been utterly crushed.

Still, Chen Wang was rather curious. He did not know whether the zombies of the Great Winter World differed in any way from the zombies he knew.

At that moment, he sat cross-legged on his bed while a sharp little knife danced before him at incredible speed, impossible to guard against. With his current Object Manipulation Technique and eyesight, he could control larger objects, but Chen Wang did not divide his attention. He focused solely on controlling this little knife.

"If only I had a flying sword or a real magical artifact."

Chen Wang thought to himself.

Though this little knife was exceptionally sharp, it could only serve in a sneak attack.

Once a cultivator set up a protective barrier, or had some trigger-type defensive talisman or magical artifact, it would be difficult for it to have any effect.

Chen Wang stayed in his room for seven days. On this day, Gao Yanan came to him with a crucial piece of information.

"Qiongqi Mining is currently recruiting freelancers into teams to explore ruins. The rewards are generous: cash, firearms, and Gene Serum. Are you interested?"

Gao Yanan said calmly.

Chen Wang's eyes lit up. "Gene Serum? What kind of Gene Serum?"

Clearly, he had little interest in cash or firearms.

The corner of Gao Yanan's mouth could not help twitching. This kid really was too rich. If Gene Serum had not been regulated, Gao Yanan seriously suspected that Chen Wang would have bought high-grade Gene Serum in no time.

She said softly, "Everyone is responsible for their own area and only needs to clear out the zombies within it. Of course, you can also apply to clear larger areas. Based on contribution and merit, you can exchange for Second Order Genetic Potion. This time, Qiongqi Mining has offered two types of Gene Serum: Stormcaller and Evil Spirit."

Chen Wang raised a brow.

He knew about Stormcaller. This Second Order Genetic Potion allowed one to control wind and rain. But he knew far less about Evil Spirit.

Chen Wang asked evenly, "What abilities does this Evil Spirit possess?"

A smile appeared at the corner of Gao Yanan's lips. "I knew you'd be interested in this Gene Serum. Evil Spirit can temporarily turn the body insubstantial, making it immune to physical damage."

Chen Wang raised a brow, unable to stop his eyes from lighting up. "Immune to physical damage?"

Gao Yanan nodded slightly. "That's right. It's said that there was once a Gene Soldier called Ghost. It could roam the night like a phantom and pass through obstacles. Before its ability was dispelled, it was extremely difficult to deal with. It was among the best of the Tier 2 Gene Soldiers."

"Evil Spirit has somewhat the same meaning now. But Evil Spirit can instantly turn into mist and become immune to damage, whereas Ghost will supposedly still die if its physical body takes too much damage."

It had to be said that Gao Yanan's understanding of these Gene Serums was exceptionally clear and accurate.

Chen Wang thought, So Ghost is among the top tier of Tier 2 Gene Soldiers.

He was extremely interested in Evil Spirit's ability to become insubstantial in an instant and ignore physical damage.

Though Ghost could maintain unobstructed stealth, once it was discovered—especially when targeted by a spell like his Evil Breaking Spell—it would die miserably.

After the middle-aged man's stealth state had been broken, he had not immediately transformed back into it. It seemed switching states was not something he could do as he pleased. It certainly could not compare to a trigger-type skill like Evil Spirit.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Wang asked, "Can this Gene Serum be bought?"

If money could solve the problem, then it was best to use money.

Gao Yanan shook her head. "Evil Spirit is a regulated Gene Serum. It has never appeared on the market. That is why Qiongqi Pharmaceuticals is using it as a reward."

Chen Wang said softly, "How much merit is needed to exchange for Evil Spirit's Second Order Genetic Potion? Or rather, what exactly must be done?"

Gao Yanan said calmly, "I knew you'd be interested in this Gene Serum. Come, I'll take you to discuss it."

Chen Wang nodded and left with Gao Yanan.

Gao Yanan brought him to meet a somewhat bald middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man had a ruddy complexion and a plump figure. Gao Yanan introduced him, "This is the person in charge of forming teams for Qiongqi Mining this time, Old Dog. You can discuss the details with him."

The somewhat bald middle-aged man smiled. "Little Gao, my name is Old Wolf, not Old Dog."

Gao Yanan nodded calmly. "Got it, Old Dog."

The middle-aged man: "..."

Chen Wang raised a brow.

It was clear that Gao Yanan seemed quite close to this middle-aged man.

Chen Wang said evenly, "I want to know exactly what must be done in Qiongqi Mining's ruin-clearing team operation this time to exchange for the Second Order Evil Spirit."

The somewhat bald middle-aged man smiled. "Very simple. Three special zones, twenty zombies."

Gao Yanan said calmly, "Old Dog, make it clear. These zombies aren't all Tier 1 Zombies."

The middle-aged man called Old Dog glanced at Gao Yanan, his brows involuntarily rising. He smiled. "That's right. There are at least three Tier 2 Zombies in those three zones."

Chen Wang looked at Gao Yanan, and she nodded slightly.

The middle-aged man said, "I would have explained that anyway. Little Gao, it seems you're putting a lot of thought into this little brother."

Gao Yanan's expression remained calm. "He's my VIP client, so naturally I have to pay more attention."

The middle-aged man nodded and smiled faintly. "Little brother, what should I call you?"

Chen Wang said evenly, "Chen Wang."

The middle-aged man smiled. "My name is Qin Lang. You can call me Old Wolf, or Old Qin."

Chen Wang nodded. "I want to know the details of this mission."

The somewhat bald middle-aged man smiled. "All right."

Many places in the Great Winter World had been occupied by zombies. Some of those places contained important information and were worth exploring, so teams of freelancers or official Gene Warriors would be organized to go there.

Each person would be responsible for an assigned area. Every time they killed a zombie, the sensor on their body would record it.

After learning the details, Chen Wang realized that the peak combat power in this mission would likely be Tier 2 Zombies.

He then said evenly, "Fine. I'll take this mission."